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Health Care Industry

Practical advice for perioperative travel nurses

AORN Journal, Oct, 2002 by Cindy L. Brumley

There are many reasons to consider the traveling nurse lifestyle. Attractions for travel nurses may include experiencing the sights and cultures of other states or countries, improving their finances, learning innovative surgical procedures, or simply decreasing their exposure to hospital politics. (1) Traveling can provide a rewarding, stimulating lifestyle in which to practice perioperative nursing.

A travel nurse is a temporary, mobile health care provider who accepts contracted assignments for a health care facility. These assignments usually last 13 weeks but can vary by mutual agreement. A temporary assignment is defined by the Internal Revenue Service ORS) as one lasting fewer than 12 months. (2)

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Travel nurses differ from agency nurses in that agency nurses are local health care providers with whom hospitals usually contract for single shift assignments. Travel and agency nurses both are considered per diem employees by the IRS. Travel nurses accept temporary assignments and maintain permanent "tax homes," duplicating living expenses while on assignment. Agency nurses live in and maintain permanent tax homes and, thus, do not incur temporary living expenses. (3) One source estimates that there are currently 6,000 to 8,000 travel nurses. (4)

BENEFITS FOR THE FACILITY

According to recent projections, 126,000 nurses are needed now to fill hospital vacancies across the nation. By the year 2020, the United States can expect a shortage of 400,000 nurses. (5) Hospitals are dealing with the shortage by closing critical care beds and surgical suites and increasing the number of patients cared for by each nurse. Travel nurses can be integral to keeping surgical suites, emergency departments, and critical care units functioning.

By hiring an experienced travel nurse, a health care facility can save money that normally would be spent for orientation or employee benefits. (6) Travel nurses bring expertise from a variety of settings that can benefit the facility. The vacancy left by an experienced spine or heart nurse who has retired can be filled by a travel nurse with similar experience. New service lines can be initiated, or existing services can be expanded until new staff members are trained.

Travel nurses generally are interested in the hospital and community in which they have chosen to work. Some may want to work there permanently. A positive experience for both the travel nurse and hospital can result in a permanent position when the contract is completed. Again, more orientation dollars are saved, and a mutually beneficial situation is created.

BENEFITS FOR NURSES

One of the positive aspects of nursing is its diversity of services and settings. Experienced nurses can add another facet to their careers by choosing to travel. Travel nurses can control their careers by selecting several companies to bid for contracts, comparing wages as well as benefits. Some travel companies offer better health insurance plans than do hospitals. Perks of birthday money, car allowances, completion bonuses, and girls of appreciation entice some nurses to travel. In contrast, a full-time hospital employee receives only the benefits offered by the hospital.

Finding new enthusiasm and challenges, which can prevent feelings of burnout or staleness, is another reason to travel. Most of the assignments are short, so the venture can be like an extended vacation. In addition, each environment builds on the travel nurse's skills and experience, which increases marketability.

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites for becoming a perioperative travel nurse include a minimum of one year experience in a variety of perioperative services and a current license for the state in which the nurse wishes to practice. For nurses already licensed in a state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement, the usual wait to obtain a new license is omitted. At this time, there are 14 compact states with four more pending implementation. (7)

Nurses should allow plenty of time to apply for a new state license. Some state boards suggest allowing up to six months for the endorsement process. Some states are considered "walk-through" states that will issue a temporary license on the spot. Currently, there are approximately 20 walk-through states. Holding a current license from another state, however, does not guarantee receiving a temporary license. There are a number of forms to complete, and some states require appointments. Prospective applicants should call the endorsing nursing board for current requirements and fees.

There are no standard requirements for license endorsement. A handful of states require prerequisite contact hours or extensive work histories. Several states require notarized copies of nursing licenses or birth certificates. Approximately one dozen states require college transcripts or passport photographs, and eight states require a fingerprint check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which can take up to four months to process. Fingerprinting applicants ensures that people with a history of substance abuse, violence, fraud, and committing criminal acts are prevented from obtaining licenses. (8)

Health Care Industry

Practical advice for perioperative travel nurses

AORN Journal, Oct, 2002 by Cindy L. Brumley

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